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/ 3 sheetssheen 1.

0; PLOHR. PRICTION CLUTCH.

(No Model.)

14 4 r L 4 l 1 L l l im w (No Model.) s sheets-sheen 2.

0. FLOHR. l

FRIGTION GLUTGH. Y No. 375,739.- Patented Jan. 3, 1888.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

0. FLO HR.

PRIGTION CLUTCH.

180.8753889. Patented Jan. 8', 1888.

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N. PETERS. Plww-Liumgmphnn wmmgmm uc.

UNiTnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO FLOHR, OF NEVARK, NFV JERSEY.

FRICTION-CLUTCH.

PECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 375,739, dated January 3, 18E 8.

Application filed Dcccmbrr 21, 1886. Serial No. 222.140. (No model) To alle/17mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, OTTO FLOHR, a. citizen of the United States, and a resident of New ark, Essex county, New Jersey, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Friction-Clutches, of which thefollowing is aspecitication.

This invention relates to that class of clutches by which one rotary part is coupled to or uncoupled from another at will and withoutregard to thc direction of rotation. More specifically, it relates to clutches wherein the one moving part is constructed with an overhang ing flange, and the other moving part carries adivided friction-ring,which may be expanded within said flange in order to bind the two parts together or slackened in order to disconnect them. Such clutches have heretofore been made in which the divided .ring is expanded within the flange by means of wedges forced in between the sections ofthe ring. As an instance of such a construction I would make reference to my Patent No. 35l,370,'

dated October 2G, 1886. Clutches of this character have also been made wherein the sections of the expanding -ring have been forced apart by levers pivoted to the sections or pivotcd to or borne by their carrier. Clutches of this character have also been constructed wherein the sections of the ring are spread apart by means of toggles. In this way a clutch of great power can be made with but few parts, and those of simple and cheap construction. It is to clutches of this kind that my invention pertains.

Iprovide two or more togglearms with their outer ends braced or seated against the sec tions ot' the ring and their inner ends against a knee-piece, which is movable in longitudinal direction, being moved to apply or release the clutch through the medium of rods and levers or other usual or suitable mechanism for the purpose. The sections of the ring, preferably two in number, are drawn together by springs and areforccd apart by the straightening of the toggles.

In order to provide a ready and powerful means of applying my improved clutch, I arrange a screw in connection with the grooved sleeve to which the rods are iixed, through the medium of which the sliding knee-piece is moved, so that by turning this screwin one direction or the other the knee-piece is eitherV advanced or retracted, and the clutch conse qnently either applied or released.

- Figures 1 to 12, inclusive,of the accompanying drawings illustrate my invention in its preferred construction. Fig. 1 is alongitudinal mid-section cut in the plane of the line 1 1 in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an elevation looking in direction parallel with the axis of rotation and partly in transverse section, as indicated by the dotted line 2 2 in Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. Sis a fragmentary longitudinal mid-section cut in the plane of theline 3 3 in Fig. 2. Figs. 4 .and 5 are respectively front and rear elevations ofthe knee-piece. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the divided friction-ring. Fig. 7 is a plan of the mechanism for applying or operating the clutch. Fig. S is a side elevation thereof, the frame ofthe machine being shown in transverse sect-ion. Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a portion of a hoisting-engine embodying my improved construction of clutch. Fig. l0 is a fragmentary front elevation, partly in vertical section, cut in the plane of the lines 1010 in Figs. 7 and S; and Fig. llisaplan of the same parts partlyin horizontal section, as denoted by the line 11 l1 in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the socket-blocks. The remaining views illustrate modifications. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal midsection of a moditied construct-ion ot' hoisting-gear cutin the plane of the line 13 13 in Fig. 14, and Fig. 14 is a transverse section thereof cut in the plane of the line 11 14 therein. Fig. 15 is a section answering to Fig. 3 and showing a modified construction of the sockets for the toggle-arms.

I will first describe the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 11. Referring to these figures, let A denote (for instance) the drumshaft of a hoistingfengine; B, the driving-gear fixed thereto; C, the winding-drum mounted loosely thereon, and D the fixed frame-work ofthe engine. In hoisting the gear Bis rotated by the engine. The drum O is coupled to the gear through the medium of the frictionclutch, and is revolved thereby until the load is raised to thedesired height. Then, when itis desired to lower the load, the clutch is partially released, and the drum is thereby permitted to be revolved backward by the descent of the load, the rapidity of its backward These pins are screwed securely into the flange b, and their heads enter recesses or sockets c c in the opposite sections of the divided ring, (see Fig. 6,) so that the ring is forced to turn with the drum; but the sections are free to be moved slightly from or toward each other. The two sections of the ring are formed with flanges d d at their division, and a pin or stud, e, is screwed firmly into one of these flanges and passes freely through a close-fitting hole in the other flange. There are two studs, e, on opposite sides, arranged parallel to each other, so that they serve to guide the sections in their expanding and collapsing movement and keep them in proper alignment. On each stud e is placed a stiff spring, G, which is confined by nuts screwed upon the end of the stud. The two springs G G serve to draw together or collapse the sections of the ring.

The gear B is formed with a prolonged hub, f, fitting the shaft A, and on the exterior of this hub, which is turned to a true cylinder,

` is fitted the knee-piece H, which is shown detached in Figs. et and 5. This knee-piece is free to slide on the hubfin a direction parallel to theaxis of rotation. Four toggle-arms, I I, are arranged in radial manner, as shown in Fig. 2, between the knee-piece H and the ring E. Both the knee-piece and the ring have recesses or sockets which receive the respective ends of the toggle-arms. The sockets in the ring are lettered g g, Fig. 6, and those in the knee-piece are lettered hh, Fig. 5. The sockets h 7i in the knee-piece are by preference formed in separate detachable blocks J J, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5. Fig. 12 is a perspective of one of these blocks. These blocks should be made of hard steel, in order to reduce the wear. They are fit-ted into an` gular sockets in the knee-piece, as shown in Fig. 3, in such manner that they cannot become displaced. The ends of the arms I I and their respective sockets g h are rounded to fit each other.

The proportions of the parts should be such that the toggle-arms will stand at about the angle shown in Fig. 3. It is obvious, referring to that figure, that on forcing the kneepiece H to the right the toggle-arms will be pressed outwardly against the sections of the ring and somewhat straightened, and that thereby the sections of the ring will be forcedl outwardly against the inner surface of the flange a. Thus theclutch is applied and the two moving parts B and C are coupled together. l On moving the knee-piece H to the left the pressure against the toggle-arms is relieved and the sections of the ring are released, whereupon their springs G G draw them together, so that the ring no longer presses against the flange a, and the two moving parts B and C are uncoupled or disconnected.

It is importantto provide some stop for limiting the retractile movement of the kneepiece, as otherwise the springs G G, acting upon it through the medium ot' the ring-sections and toggle-arms, would force it so far to the left (in Figs. l and 3) that it would bind against the drum and generate sufficient friction to prevent the running down or back! Ward rotation of the drum under a lightload. To obviate this I provide a flange or collar, z', which is placed against the left hand or front end of thehubf and screwed thereto, as shown in Fig. l. Vhen the retractile movement of the knee-piece brings it against this flange i, it is stopped.

The advancing and retractile movements of the knee-piece H are imparted to it through the medium of rods K K, which are carried by the drum and slide longitudinally through holes therein and are fixed at their front ends to a sliding sleeve, L, which is mounted to Slide freely on the shaft A and has an annular groove, I, into which projects any suitable moving part by means of which the requisite longitudinal movement may be imparted to the sleeve. This is the usual construction heretofore adopted in clutches of this character. I

Myiniproved construction of friction-clutch has the advantages of enabling the respective -moving parts to be coupled together very powerfully with but slight exertion on the part of the person operating it, of effecting a free and quick release, and of uniformly distributing and equalizing the strains incident to the forcing ofthe frictional surfaces together. There is but little wear, and such as there is will be compensated automatically by the moving parts for a Vconsiderable time.

In constructing the clutch the togglearms and their connections should be accurately proportioned and fitted, although slight inequalities will be compensated for by the selfadjustment of the parts. If my preferred construction be adopted, wherein the sockets h lL `are formed in separate blocks J J instead of in the knee-piece II itself, the proper adjustment of the machine willbe greatly facilitated. For example, if, after puttingthe parts together, any one or two of the toggle-arms are found to sustain less strain than the others, the blocks J J, against which those arms are seated, are taken ont of their sockets and a piece of paper, card-board, or sheet metal of the proper thickness is inserted under each block, thereby lifting it away from the center of the knee-piece, which has the same effect that the insertion of a longer toggle-arm would have. The same construction enables the wear of the machine to be taken up when- IOO tog

described for adjusting those of one or two arms.

Instead of providing the k nee-piece with removable blocks J J, the sections of the ring may be thus provided, as shown in Fig. 15; or blocks may be provided in both the k ncepiece and the ring.

My invention is susceptible of various structural modifications without departing from its essential features. There may be more or fewer of the toggle-arms I I, two being the smallest number that can be made operative. The friction-ring maybe divided into moreor fcwersections, with one, two, or more togglearms to each section. Different means may be provided for collapsing the sections of the ring, and other' devices may be employed for imparting motion to the kneepiece. I will presently describe a vconstruction embodying these modifications.

I will now describe thc mechanism -which I have devised for imparting the clutching and releasing movements to the sleeve L.

The `shaft A has its bearings in the side frame, D, as usual, a bearingcap, llI, being tiXed over the journal. This bearingcap I extend upwardly, as best shown in Fig. 10, it being formed with side ledges, k lc, and with upwardly-projecting walls or flanges m m. 0n ltop of these walls is fastened a top plate, N, which has wings or tianges n n, which project beyond the walls m m and correspond to the ledges 7c 7c beneath them. In the space between the wallsm mbeneath the top plate, N, is confined a slide, I), which is so guided in this space as to be capable of free longitudinal movement. Therearendofthisslideisturned downwardly and enters the groove Z in the sleeve L. Thus the sleeve is free to rotate while being held stationary in longitudinal direclion by the slide I), and the longitudinal movement of the latter effects a like forwardv or backward movement of the revolving sleeve. A yoke, Q, has its arms bolted to the walls m in, being confined in place vertically by the l flanges a and It, between which they are closely confined. In the front portion of this yoke, which extends across in front of the end of the slide l?, is formed a threaded hole or socket, in which turns a screw, It, on the front end of which is fixed a hand-wheel, S, as shown in Fig. 1, or a crank'lever, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The rearend of the screw R enters a socket in the slide I), and is swiveled therein by means of one or more pins, pp, in theslide entering a groove in the screw, so that as the screw is turned, and thus moves forward or backward, the slide is caused to move forward or backward with it. By turning the hand wheel or crank S in one direction or the other the parts P, L, K, and H are advanced or retracted, and the clutch is either applied or released; but a very slight motion is required to either apply or release the clutch, and by imparting this motion through the medium of a screw and lever (namely, the hand wheel or crank S) a considerable mechanical advantage is gained, and the operator is enabled to regulate to a nicety the pressure applied to the frictional surfaces. This construction renders it practicable to use my friction-clutch as a brake to regulate the speed of descent of the load which has been hoisted. A very slight turn of the wheel or crank S will cause the load to descend faster or slower, the control being as perfect in this respect as with any brake now in use.

Fig. 9 shows my invention as applied to a hoisting-engine. Onlythatendofthemachine which carries the hoisting-gear is shown. The steamengine may be constructed in any way desiredfor instance. like that described in Patent No. 295,289, dated March 1S, 188i. D is the side frame. O is the pitman. U is the crank-wheel, which is fixed on the crank-shaft V. q is the driving-pinion, (shown in dotted lincs,) which is fixed on the shaftV, and which gears either directly with the gear! wheel B (the pitchlline of which is shown by a dotted line) or with a slowmotion gear-wheel, V, (the pitchvline of which is shown by a dotted line,) and which in turn drives the gear B through the medium of a pinion, w, (also indicated by a dotted line.) This is the usual construction of hoisting engines whenever eithcra slow or quick motion is desired. 'Gis the winding-drum; A, the drumshaft; S, the crank-wheel for applying the clutch, and Rits screw. Y isaratchet-wheel or notched wheel, which is carried by the drum, being con structcd in the form of a ring and bolted to the end ofthe drum, as shown in Figs. l and 7.

Itis frequently desirable or necessary to have some means for locking the drum fast in position7 in order to hold theload suspended at any desired point independently of the action of the clutch and engine. For this purpose I provide a locking pawl or hook, X, which is pivotcd to the fixed frame D, and the hooked end of which engages the teeth or 'notches in the wheel Y. Normally this pawl is thrown down horizontally upon the frame D; butl whenever it is desired to lock the drum fast it is moved into engagement with it, as shown in Fig. 9.

In Fig. 1, Z is a windlass barrel or winch, which is fastened upon the rear end of the shaft A, outside of the fixed frame.

Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate a modification of my invention, which I will now describe.

A is the driving-shaft. B is a carrier fixed thereon, and G is the winding-drum. In the construction before described the `flange a was formed on the part B and the friction-ring E was carried by the part C. In this construction, however, this arrangement is reversed. The iiange a is formed on the drum Gand the friction-ring is carried by the carrier B, which,

as here shown, is not a gearwhcef The fric` tion-ring is divided into three sections instead o f two, and a considerable portion of the ring is removed between these sections, so that the sections are reduced to the semblance of friction-blocks or brakelsh oes. They are lettered E E. The carrier B is constructed with filling portions BB, which fill the spaces between the sections E E. The carrier B is formed with three radial slideways, in which the blocks or sections E are fitted, the latter being thus capable of moving out and in radially, being guided by these slideways. The kneepieceH and grooved sleeve L are both constructed in one piece, connected by a portion, Z', and slide upon the shaft A, with which they revolve. There arethree togglearms I I-one to each ring-section E'--and each arm is socketed at one end in a socket, g, in the section E', and at the other end in a socket, 7L, in the knee-piece, and is pivoted to both the sections and the knee-piece by pins or pintlcsy' j. G Gare retracting springs, which are-interposed between the carrier B and the knee-piece II, and act to force the latter to the left, thus pulling back the toggle-arms I I and the sections E E. B is a cap or hood for inclosing and concealing the clutching paris. The clutch is applied by means of a hand-lever, S, w hich is forked at its fulcruni and carries pins or rollers, which engage the groove Z in the sliding sleeve. In operation the friction-ring sections E E are forced outwardly against the flangea by the thrust of the knee-piece H, acting through the toggle-arms I I, and are drawn back by the tension of the springs G G.

Myinvention may be otherwise variously modified in construction, as will be well understood. It is obvious that either of the respective parts B C may constitute the driver, it beingimmaterial whether the power is transmitted from the friction ring to the flange a or from the latter to the friction-ring.

I claim as my invention the following-defined novel features and combinations as applied to a friction-clutch, substantially as hereinbefore specified, namely:

l. The combination of a driving and a driven part, one of said parts formed with an overhanging flange, a divided friction-ring within said flange and so connected to the other of said parts that both must rotate together, the axial shaft upon which said rotating parts are mounted, a lengitndinallymoving knee-piece on said shaft, and said sections and knee-piece formed with opposite sockets, inclined toggle-arms with their opposite ends entering said opposite sockets and abutting directly against the sections and knee-piece, respectively, whereby on advance ing said knee-piece the friction-ring is cX- panded by the direct and unyielding thrust of said toggle-arms, and retracting-springs arranged to contract said ring and thereby release the clutch.

2. The combination of a driving and a driven part, one of said parts formed with an overhanging flange, a divided friction-ring within said flange and so connected to the other of said parts that both must rotate together, the axial shaft upon which said rotating parts are mounted, a longitudinally-moving kneepiece on said shaft, and said sections and kneepiece formed with opposite sockets extended laterally in planes perpendicular to the axis of rotation, inclined toggle arms or plates broadened laterally to a width corresponding to the length of said sockets and arranged with their opposite ends entering said opposite sockets and abutting directly against the sections and kneepiece, respectively, whereby on advancing said knee-piece the friction-ring is eX-l pauded by the direct and unyielding thrust of said togglearms, and retracting-springs arranged to draw back the sections ot' said ring and release the clutch.

3. The combination of a driving and a driven part, one of said parts formed with an overhanging flange, a friction-ring Within said flange so connected to the other of said parts that both must rotate together, and diainetrically divided into two sections, the axial shaft upon which said parts are mounted, four inclined togglearrns arranged radially with their outer ends bearing against the sections of said ring, two against one section and two against the other, and a knee-piece movable longitudinally on said shaft and against which the inner ends of said toggle-arms bear.

4. The combination of a driving and a driven part, one of said parts formedv with an overhanging flange, a friction ring arranged within said flange and diametrically divided into two sections, each of which is formed at its middle with a socket, driving-pins entering said socket and carried by the other of said parts, whereby the sections are forced to rotate with the latter part, the axial shaft upon which said parts are mounted, four inclined toggle arms arranged radially, with their outer ends bearing against the sections of said ring, two against each section and on opposite sides of said socket therein, and a knee-piece movable longitudinally on said shaft and against which the inner ends of said toggle-arms bear. 5. rlhe combination of a driving and a driven part, one of said parts formed with an overhanging flange, a friction-ring arranged within said flange and so connected to the other of said parts that both must rotate together, and divided into sections, retractingsprings applied to the sections of said ring and acting to draw them together,and thereby .contract the ring, toggle-arms arranged at an inclination with their outer ends bearing against the sections of said ring, a knee-piece movable longitudinally and against which the inner ends of said toggle-arms bear, and mechanism for longitudinally moving said kneepiece.

G. The combination of a driving and a driven part, one of which is formed with an overhanging flange, a divided friction ring within said flange and so connected to the ICO LJI

other of said parts that they must both rotate together, guiding devices upon the respective sections of said ring,adapted to guide them in their expanding and contracting movements, inclined togglearrns With their outer ends bearing against the sections of said ring,a lon! gitudinally-rnovable kneepiece, against which the inner ends of said togglearms bear, and retracting-springs acting to contract said ring.

7. The combination of driving and driven parts, one of which is formed with an overhanging Bange, a divided friction-ring within said :flange and so connected to the other of said parts that both must rotate together, a longitudinally-movable lrnee-piece, inclined toggle-arms With their outer ends bearing against the sections of said ring and their inner ends against said knee-piece, and removable blocks in which the ends of said toggle arms are socketed.

8. The combination of a driving and driven part, one of which is formed with an overhanging flange, a divided friction-ring within said flange and so connected to the other of said parts that both must rotate together, a longitudinally-movable knee-piece, inclined toggle arms with their outer ends bearing against the sections of said ring and their inner ends against the said knee-piece, and ad 3o justable socket-blocks, each interposed between one end of one of said togglearms and the part against which it bears and angularly socketed in said latter part.

9. The combination of driving and driven parts, one of which is formed with an overhanging ange, a divided friction-ring Within said flange and so connected to the other of said parts that both must rotate together, a longitudinally-movable knee-piece, inclined toggle-arms with their outer ends bearing against the'sections of said ring and their inA ner ends against said knee-piece, reti-actingsprings acting to contract said ring and retract said knee-piece, and a stop for limiting the retractile movement of the knee-piece.

10. The combination of driving and driven parts, one of which is formed with an overhanging flange, a divided friction-ring Within said liange, a knee-picce and inclined togglearms for expanding said ring, an annularlygrooved sleeve connected to said knee-piece, a longitndinally-moving slide engaging the groove in said sleeve, and an operating-screw engaging said slide and adapted, Awhen rotated, to impart longitudinal movement thereto and thereby to engage or release the clutch. A

11. A clutch operating mechanism consisting ofthe combination of cap M, formed with Walls m m, top plate, N, fixed thereon, yoke Q, fixed thereto, slide P, confined between said walls and beneath said top plate, and operatingscrew R, engaging said yoke and swivele'd to said slide.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence 0f two subscribing witnesses.

OTTO FLOHR.

1Witnesses:

ARTHUR G. FRASER, GEORGE H. FRAsER. 

